Test results from autopsies are pending

Family, friends and community members continue to mourn the loss of two young people over the weekend. The cause of their death remains a mystery.

Sheriff Bill Lutze did confirm that autopsies were performed Wednesday with results pending. He said no new clues about the cause of the deaths has surfaced. It was on Sunday that a neighbor discovered that Helena Spratt, 18 and Chase Tague, 27 were dead in their bed at a home on Pa Ha Lane in Bishop.

Sheriff Bill Lutze had said that there were no signs of trauma or violent death. Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s investigators responded to the scene on Sunday. Again, autopsy results have so far not cleared up the mystery.

Coroner Leon Brune also confirmed that autopsies were performed at the county’s contract facility in southern California. He said results should be available in a month or two. Brune said an entire and thorough list of tests will be performed, including toxicology. Until then, he said, the deaths remain under investigation.

Meanwhile, funeral services have been scheduled for Spratt and Tague. A third man had died around the same time as the other two, but Sheriff’s officers assure that as far as they know the deaths are completely unrelated. Buzzie Beaver passed away on a different day and in a different location.

Inyo Sheriff Lutze earlier said, “This is a tragic event for the families of the deceased and the community. Anyone,” he said, “with any information is asked to please come forward and you may stay anonymous.”

Helena Spratt’s funeral services were scheduled for Friday, September 28 at 11 am at Brune Mortuary Chapel with burial at Sunland Indian Cemetery. A cry dance is set for Chase Tague Saturday, September 29 at dusk at 159 N. Pa Ha Lane. Funeral services will take place Sunday, September 30 at 10 am at Barlow Lane Gym. Burial at Sunland Cemetery.

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About Benett Kessler

Always interested in writing, Benett was the editor of her high school paper, proceeded to the University of Chicago and then out West where she and John Heston formed Eastern Sierra News Service in Inyo County. They fed film to KNXT in Los Angeles and co-wrote and produced the first daily radio news in the Eastern Sierra. Their work ranged from a published news magazine to the first television newscast. They continued to provide videotaped news to KABC and other news outlets. After a seat on the Mammoth Times board and work as newswriter, Benett formed her own company, Sierra Broadcasters and launched an FM radio station, now KSRW and a broadcast television station, KSRW-TV33. The latest addition - Sierrawave.net. Her company motto: Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.